Music

Rooster Roundabout: This week’s music highlights

Looks like we're gonna be seeing a new album from King Khan & BBQ Show ... wait, never mind. The new album will be released under their old/new moniker Bad News Boys. Apparently a barbecue joint in Berlin sued the band for taking their name (King Khan Und BBQ), so they decided to go back to their original band name. Along with that, they've shared a track from said upcoming record, though there's no details as far as the release date and whatnot. Still, have a listen to “We Are The Champion” below.

Bad News Boys - “We Are The Champion”

Out tha basement

Two legends. Count 'em, two: Bob Dylan and The Band. Why do I bring them up? Because Bob Dylan has announced the release of The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11. Basically he's releasing “every salvageable recording” from sessions with The Band from 1967. 138 tracks of sonic goodness, all yours for the small price of ... wait, I don't know how much it costs. But it hits online and physical markets on Nov. 4, so that's somethin' to look forward to, no?

Take a leap

'Member how I mentioned that underground folk legend Vashti Bunyan was releasing a new and final album, Heartleap, on Oct. 7? Well, to give fans another snippet of the record, she's released the track “Holy Smoke.” The atmospheric ditty is gorgeous, whispery and magical ... as I'm sure the record will be. Have a listen below.

Believe in Usher

Uh-oh, the sexy vocal stylings of Mr. Usher Raymond are about to grace the airwaves once again. Not like he's been slacking on that front or anything. Usher shared a new single, “Believe Me,” which is scheduled to appear on his forthcoming record Everything You Can Imagine. The song is produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, who has worked with noted contemporaries like Juicy J, GOOD Music, Lil Wayne and the queen of dick pop (new genre, you heard it here) Miley Cyrus. Head to Spin to hear the tune.

Morrissey, Scorsese, Ramones, oh my!

Here's a lil something exciting if you like The Smiths (which I don't) … or better, if you like the Ramones. Morrissey has chosen the tracklist for the upcoming Best of the Ramones compilation. Not only that, he also got to choose the cover photo, which is viewable below. No word on when that'll be released, but this should still be interesting. Not because Morrissey had anything to do with it, but because it's the Ramones! Speaking of the Ramones, apparently there's a film in the works, and it's set to be directed by none other than Martin Scorsese. That's gonna be a good one. Head to Pitchfork to read more about that.

Please stand up

Slim Shady ain't over, y'all. Eminem recently announced a 2-CD compilation titled Shady XV, which is scheduled to hit the music-sphere on Nov. 24. The compilation will feature one album of Shady Records greatest hits and an album of new work by Em, D-12, Yelawolf and more. As an added bonus, Shady also shared a collaborative track with Sia (who's been gaining some hardcore traction with her latest album 1000 Forms of Fear), titled “Guts Over Fear,” which is featured in the upcoming film The Equalizer (out Sept. 26). To read more about the compilation and single, head over to Billboard.

Dream of the stream

It's time for the album streamage. New York rock band Interpol announced a few months ago that they'd be coming back with a new record (El Pintor). Well, they weren't lying. That record drops on Sept. 9, but in the meantime, NPR has you covered. Head their way to hear the album in its entirety. And while we're talkin' free music (well, this next one is free), why not mention Ty Dolla $ign's new $ign Languagemixtape, which is available for download. Don't worry, fans. He's still coming out with a new record later this year. This is just a nice little sampler. Listen to/download that below. Note: Streams are only available for a limited time, so we apologize if they’re no longer available by the time you click these links.

He may not be Frank Sinatra, but Seth MacFarlane can sing a tune. Known mostly for his various voices and comedic timing after creating such hits as “Family Guy” and Ted, MacFarlane seems to have a hand in everything, whether it's writing, directing, voice-overs and singing. You name it, he's probably done it. And now he's tackling a Christmas album (Holiday for Swing), in which he'll cover such classics as “Baby It's Cold Outside” and “Let It Snow.” If you like Christmas LPs and crooning, then this is the record to play whilst decorating your house in tinsel and stockings. MacFarlane spoke to Billboard from the set of Ted 2, so head there to read what he had to say about the record.

Berry gets the Polar

It's great news for the music industry, or for people in general, that legend Chuck Berry received Sweden's Polar Music Prize, considered to be “the world's most prestigious music accolade.” Not bad, Berry. The 87-year-old musician wasn't able to make it to the ceremony due to illness, but he did have someone there to read his acceptance speech. So, congratulations Mr. Berry! Now, we watch a performance of “Nadine” to celebrate!

Chuck Berry - “Nadine”

A dip in sales

Uh-oh, the record industry is in trouble. According to Billboard, last week's sales (3.97 million) are the lowest weekly sum since SoundScan began tracking these numbers in '91. It's also the first time sales have fallen below 4 million for a single week. But record executives aren't surprised, as the head of one label said, “Sales have been going in the wrong direction all year. I guess it's overdue when you look at the growth of streaming.” For more information on the decline of the record business, click here.